Dr. Chen Hongtian, chairman of the Cheung Kei Group, urging Hong Kong citizens from all walks of life to support the underprivileged community

2019.01.09

The Hong Kong Volunteers Federation's 2019 Hong Kong Volunteer Award Presentation Ceremony was held in Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Dr. Chen Hongtian, a CPPCC National Committee member, a Justice of the Peace appointed by the Hong Kong SAR, an Executive Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation (HKVF), a Chairman of the Presentation Ceremony's organizing committee, and Chairman of the Cheung Kei Group, had delivered a speech at the event, and presented awards to the outstanding volunteers and teams who were being acknowledged on the day.

In attendance at the event were Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, the Chief Secretary for Administration ofthe Hong Kong SAR; He Jing, the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong; Wang Ping, the Secretary General of the China Overseas Friendship Association; Tam Kam-kau, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation; Li Xianyi, the Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation; Kung Chun-lung, Chief Supervisor of the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation; and Karson Choi, the Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation; along with other business leaders and over 3000 volunteers.

Dr. Chen Hongtian giving a speech at the ceremony

In his speech, Dr. Chen Hongtian shared his views on the objectives of the Hong Kong Volunteer Award Presentation Ceremony. In addition to commending the achievements of the outstanding volunteers and their teams in their provision of services to the underprivileged in the society, the ceremony is also a way to influence other members of the public to join the ranks of the volunteers in giving back and caring for the society. Apart from the support given by the government of the Hong Kong SAR and the selflessness and dedication of the volunteers, the active participation and support of the civil society organizations and people from all walks of life are fundamental to the continuity of community services. Hence, the Volunteers Federation anticipates cooperating with people from all walks of life to launch a more comprehensive and diverse volunteer movement.

Dr. Chen Hongtian discussed how the event's theme of "Spreading the Love and Spirit of Volunteerism Across the City" reflects the organization's aim of diffusing the compassionate spirit of volunteerism to every corner of the Hong Kong society. He also shared how the volunteer team has been dedicated to improving the lives of the underprivileged members of our society such as the elderly, grassroots families, ethnic minorities, and the sick and disabled. Every year, the federation has been attracting an increasing number of volunteers to join the team, and their work has been well received and acknowledged by the society at large.

Group photograph of the guests of the ceremony and the recipients of the awards

Awards have been presented to 200 volunteer teams and over 2000 volunteers during this ceremony, to commend their efforts in serving the society and their selfless spirit of giving. The Hong Kong Volunteers Federation was established by a group of philanthropic business leaders from Hong Kong in 2014. Currently, over 100,000 volunteers are registered with the organization, and they serve in over 2500 volunteer projects organized,co-organized or supported by the organization, benefitting over 2.5 million under privileged members of the society, its contributions and efforts are widely recognized.